Wallace: A shout-out for a name you don't hear much: Dan Quayle

It is not unusual to hear a potential GOP presidential candidate pay tribute to Republican icons like Ronald Reagan or Teddy Roosevelt to win over party loyalists.

But Dan Quayle?

During a stop in Sarasota to build momentum for a potential White House run, former Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich boldly defended the often-forgotten vice president and his criticism of 1980s fictional television character Murphy Brown for being an unwed mother.

Ehrlich spent a key part of his speech before 100 local Republicans focusing on how fatherlessness is the “No. 1 social issue” facing the nation.

“Dan Quayle got torched by Murphy Brown,” Ehrlich said, referring to the vice president under George H.W. Bush from 1988-92. “But you know, he stood up.”

Ehrlich, 57, said he met with people in jail or prison frequently when he was governor and there were two common themes in their lives: they were fatherless and they used marijuana.

It’s not a new theme for Ehrlich. In October he penned a column for the conservative National Review on the topic of fatherlessness in which he also defended Quayle, and followed the same vein in his 2013 book “Turn this Car Around: The Roadmap to Restoring America.”

Ehrlich’s strategy has a long way to go to raise his status to join top 2016 GOP contenders. Still, a year before Florida votes in the GOP primary, Ehrlich is listed among 20 potential Republican candidates by Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball, a respected website that tracks the status of presidential campaigns.

Ehrlich knows he faces a steep climb. He said after he started getting a reaction from audiences in New Hampshire he began giving the idea of running for president more serious thought.

In Sarasota, Ehrlich told Republicans that the party is good at winning midterm elections, but when Democrats are inspired to vote in presidential cycles, they are dominating the GOP. He noted that in five of the last six presidential elections, the Democratic candidate for president has received more votes than the Republicans.

“We need to figure out how to win,” Ehrlich said.

Rubio in top tier

After his failed efforts on immigration reform in 2013, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio took some hits in his quest to become the Republican nominee for president in 2016 — particularly among Tea Party groups.

But Rubio not only has recovered, he is beginning to pick up steam once again, according to Sabato’s Crystal Ball.

Last week, the Crystal Ball moved the Miami Republican from being a second-tier contender for the White House, to the first tier with former Gov. Jeb Bush and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. That is partly due to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s struggles to hold onto his one-time status as a top challenger.

“Rubio, who seems to be positioning himself as the ‘ideas candidate,’ is viewed by many insiders as a strong alternative to Bush, and he has moved ahead of Christie in the establishment’s pecking order,” analysts Sabato, Kyle Kondik and Geoffrey Skelley wrote.

Rubio, who is also up for re-election in 2016, is still weighing whether he will run for president. Last week he told Sean Hannity on The Fox News Channel that he is “very close” to making a decision and “we’ll havean announcement soon.”

Bennett seeks re-election

Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett is running again.

Though the former state senators has weighed running for other positions, Bennett filed earlier this month to seek a second term as the county’s top elections official.

Bennett, a Republican, won his first four-year term in 2012 by defeating three other Republicans in a contentious primary, then cruised to victory in the general election.

Bennett is the only candidate to file for the position in 2016.

Area political events

Wednesday:

The League of Women Voters of Sarasota County holds a discussion on campaign finance laws, led by New College of Florida political science professor Frank Alcock. The meeting is at 11:30 a.m. at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, 2635 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. Lunch is $15. For questions and reservations contact Kim Noyes at 941-925-2970 or lwvsc@Verizon.net

Thursday: The Sarasota Republican Club holds a discussion about transportation planning in Sarasota County starting at 6 p.m. Sarasota city manager Tom Barwin and Longboat Key city manager Dave Bullock will be part of the panel. The meeting is at Marina Jack Restaurant, 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota.

Friday: Sarasota School Board member Bridget Ziegler speaks to the Lakewood Ranch Republican Club at noon at The Ranch Grill, 14475 State Road 70, Lakewood Ranch. Cost is $20.

Saturday: Radio host Susan Nilon speaks to the Venice Area Democratic Club starting at 11:30 a.m. at The Venice Yacht Club, 1330 Tarpon Center Drive, Venice.

Jeremy Wallace

Jeremy Wallace has covered politics for more than 15 years.
He can be reached by email or call (941) 361-4966.
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Last modified: March 21, 2015
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